Residents and organizations may submit comments on a draft of the 2018 plan. A copy of the plan may be found at TompkinsCountyNY.gov/tourism.

The Strategic Tourism Planning Board has developed the draft plan with input from a variety of stakeholders and community members, a Tompkins County news release stated. The tourism planning board is charged by the Tompkins County Legislature with providing oversight and strategic direction for tourism initiatives that promote economic development and enhance the quality of life in Tompkins County.

The draft plan identifies steps the community can take in the next several years to develop and promote Ithaca and Tompkins County as a premier regional destination for outdoor recreation, the release stated. The plan outlines a targeted approach for the use of county hotel room occupancy tax funds for strategic investment in outdoor recreation product development and marketing.

The plan focuses on growing the organizational capacity of area partners to advance the outdoor recreation tourism agenda and on improving key physical outdoor recreation infrastructure. It also prioritizes five key outdoor recreation activity areas: water-based recreation, hiking and running, bicycling, kids in nature, and niche and adventure tourism, the release stated.

Residents and organizations may submit comments online via the tourism program email address tourism@tompkins-co.org, in person at the Tompkins County Planning and Sustainability Department at 121 E. Court St. or by mail to the Planning and Sustainability Department address.

To ensure consideration, comments must be received by 4 p.m. April 9. For more information, call the Tompkins County Planning and Sustainability Department at 607-274-5560.